Smithfield Postpones Zoning Vote

June 30, 1998|By JUDI TULL Daily Press

SMITHFIELD — Time was the one thing that 18 of the 19 speakers at a two-hour public hearing asked of the Smithfield Town Council Monday night. Time to learn more about proposed zoning that would create new districts and tighten restrictions throughout the town, time to figure out what it meant for them individually and as part of the community.

In the end, the council gave it to them - 30 days to learn all they can.

But the extra time came with a caution, and council members pulled no punches in delivering a clear warning to the citizens about what the delay could cause.

"There are wolves at the door of Smithfield," said Councilman Richard MacManus. "There are developers wanting to task advantage of our current zoning ordinance."

"We can study this document forever," said Councilman Dan Smith, "and I don't foresee there will be that many changes made. But in the meantime, the developers are coming."

Councilman Tom Hearn Jr. said he still believes time is of the essence, even if a slight delay is allowed.

"Part of me says to move as quickly as possible," he said, "but I'm willing to give it 30 days. We can't hesitate much longer, though. There are contractors who do not want it approved and they will take advantage of the town."

In the face of resounding citizens' criticism, council members also conceded that the town could have done a better job of educating residents about the plan as it moved along over the past year.

Many speakers complained that the only notice they received that their property was going to be rezoned was a single sheet of paper announcing the June 9 public hearing at the Planning Commission meeting. They also complained that, although the new zoning districts were listed on that paper, there was no explanation of what the new zones meant or how they compared to the existing ones.

"We have really not prepared the citizens for what is coming," said Councilwoman Kay Brown.

"A lot of folks here tonight don't understand what we've got," Hearn said. "Maybe we have failed to bring the public in sufficiently."

The council's unanimous vote to table the zoning decision until its Aug. 4 meeting was greeted by cheers from the audience, which had filled council chambers and overflowed into the hallway and stairwell.

* Judi Tull can be reached at 357-6392 from southside or 247-4926 from the Peninsula.